“Mm.”
Shen Mu nodded, explaining, “Since you could sense the aura of the Crimson Gold Toad, it naturally could feel your innate bloodline suppression over it.”
“…I’m such an idiot. I didn’t even realize something so simple…” Chi Ying said self-mockingly, devoid of her usual pride.
“Sister Chi Ying, you’re not an idiot. You just weren’t on guard against someone as weak as me,” Shen Mu comforted.
“You don’t need to console me…”
“I know this mess I’m in… it’s all because of my own recklessness and stupidity…”
“I’m the idiot…”
Her dragon eyes dimmed, her words filled with dejection and self-ridicule, lacking any trace of her former arrogance.
Seeing her low spirits, Shen Mu stepped forward, passing through the verdant array barrier to stand before her, gently stroking her head.
“So, Sister Chi Ying, will you know to change next time?”
Chi Ying felt the gentle, comforting touch of his fingertips on her dragon scales for the first time. Hearing his soft, almost child-coaxing tone, her inexperienced heart rippled with subtle waves.
“…You don’t need to tell me. Of course I know to change.”
“I’m not some kid who needs reminding like this.”
Though his touch felt surprisingly pleasant, bringing her inner and outer comfort, her ingrained pride urged her to voice resistance.
“Is that so?” Shen Mu raised an eyebrow, retracting his hand.
He knew her nature was at play.
“Alright… I’m feeling better now. Let’s talk about your idea.”
Shen Mu sat cross-legged, his expression serious. “Honestly, Master made a request. She said… if you can’t be of use to me, she’ll return you to your near-death state.”
“…”
Chi Ying fell silent for a moment, exhaling softly. “She said the same thing to me after placing me in this array.”
[“You better remember, if it weren’t for my disciple’s request, I wouldn’t care about your life or death.”]
[“So don’t take everything I’m doing for you as a given.”]
[“If, after recovering, you can’t serve him, follow his orders, or do something to help him, I’ll withdraw my healing at any moment.”]
Recalling the white-robed woman’s lazy, indifferent words, Chi Ying felt a twinge of dissatisfaction but mostly helplessness.
After all…
No matter how you looked at it, the fact that she healed her and saved her life was undeniable.
And she was right.
If Shen Mu hadn’t arrived in time, she might already be dead in the Heavenly Fire Mountain Range.
“So, what do you think?”
“A life-saving debt—I’ll naturally do my utmost to repay it, no need for anyone to say more.” She wasn’t an ungrateful wretch who’d forget such a favor.
“Even becoming my spirit pet?”
Chi Ying’s dragon eyes flashed with sharpness. “Don’t push it. There’s no precedent in our clan for becoming another race’s pet.”
“If you want me to be your spirit pet, I’d rather end myself.”
Such a thing touched the dignity of the crimson dragon lineage—she’d die before agreeing.
Knowing her resolute stance, Shen Mu asked again, “What about being my guardian?”
“Hm… that seems acceptable.”
“But if I become your guardian, I have an additional request.”
“Tell me.” Shen Mu’s eyes showed curiosity.
“After reaching the Void Refining Realm, can you let me return to my clan?”
“I came to Chi You Continent because I accidentally triggered an ancient teleportation array while exploring a secret realm…”
“My clan elders and mother don’t even know where I am.”
Shen Mu frowned slightly. “Didn’t they leave any tracking or life-preserving measures on you?”
“Well… my talent and strength in the clan weren’t enough to warrant their attention.” Chi Ying’s tone carried a hint of shame.
“…”
Shen Mu fell silent for a moment, sighing inwardly: What a strength-supremacist race.
“Alright, no problem.”
He only planned to keep her by his side for about eight years, which wasn’t long for her.
After eight years…
If he was still alive and well, he’d grant her true freedom.
“Thank you.”
“It’s a small matter.”
Shen Mu smiled, standing up. “So, do you want to make a Heavenly Dao oath or form a contract with me?”
“This way, there’s a formal restriction, and I can report back to Master.”
“Contracts take effort to draft. I’ll just make the oath.”
Chi Ying, straightforward and disliking complications, chose to swear directly.
With the Heavenly Dao as witness, she vowed to protect his cultivation journey for life.
“By the way, in the secret area under that grand array, I found a special chamber and took some things from it. Not sure if you can use them.”
After the Heavenly Dao oath, Chi Ying spat out a storage pouch protected by crimson spiritual light, which floated to Shen Mu.
“A chamber?” Shen Mu’s brow furrowed in curiosity as he caught the pouch.
“Yeah, it had a lot of books, bottles, jars, and wooden boxes, plus a rusty phoenix-patterned cauldron.”
“From what I could tell, it’s probably an alchemy room.”
Shen Mu opened the storage pouch, dumping its contents to inspect.
Thud!
Instantly, a pile of books, jade bottles, boxes, and miscellaneous items stacked up to his waist, leaving him momentarily stunned as he rubbed his chin.
“You took everything from there?” Shen Mu asked in disbelief.
“Not really…”
“That cauldron was too big. My storage pouch couldn’t fit it, so I left it.”
“…”
Shen Mu was speechless.
So she took everything she could carry?
This girl’s greed is on another level.
A locust-style “leave no needle or thread behind” approach.
At this moment, he could only give Chi Ying a mental “666.”
“The material of these boxes seems special…” Shen Mu picked up a rectangular black wooden box with gold patterns, examining it closely.
“Have you opened it?”
“No, I was too busy collecting everything and didn’t have time to check.”
Shen Mu felt the weight of the palm-sized box, shaking it lightly but hearing no sound.
He brought it to his nose, catching a faint, refreshing sandalwood scent.
It’s probably a valuable pill or spiritual herb that needs preservation—no danger.
Click!
Shen Mu pried open the tightly sealed black wooden box.
In an instant, strands of pure crimson essence qi wafted out, causing both man and dragon to widen their eyes.